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The American Parents Executed for Spying

In June 1953 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed by electric chair in New York. Julius was killed first. His wife Ethel followed him just minutes later. She was still alive after the first electrocution. So they did it again.

The Rosenbergs, were accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union and were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage.

Their trial had taken place in a climate of fear and paranoia about the threat posed by Communism.

The couple had two young sons, Robert and Michael. Robert has spoken to Witness about his memories of his parents, and the campaign by the Rosenberg Fund for Children to exonerate his mother Ethel.

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4 minutes